The benefits of playing alongside a four-star prospect are obvious to Benny McGowan, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound two-way junior lineman from Centerville, Ohio.

McGowan's teammate, Michael Bennett has verbally committed to play at Ohio State, but before doing so he drew attention from college coaches from across the country. When those coaches visited the school they also had the chance to check out McGowan.

"Recruiting is going pretty good, actually," McGowan said. "Right now I'm just trying to get some good film to send out."

That film will go to many of the same schools that recruited Bennett, including Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Northwestern.

Already McGowan has visited both Ohio State and Michigan for games.

"I went to the Miami-Ohio State game," he said. "I really enjoyed it. It was a great feeling walking out onto the field during pre-game. It was also one of the loudest places I've ever been."

During his trip to Columbus, McGowan spoke with several of the Ohio State coaches, including head coach Jim Tressel.

"I talked to the offensive line coach, their academic advisor and I introduced myself to coach Tressel," he said. "They said they would still recruit me."

OSU's coaching staff hasn't had to do much recruiting with McGowan. Bennett has shared with his teammate plenty about the school.

"He said that it is a great school with a lot of tradition," McGowan said. "He said for him he just loved the feel of the atmosphere there and I got a little taste of what he was talking about."

Playing next to Bennett at Centerville hasn't only been beneficial in recruiting. McGowan also has improved his game by working harder to meet the standard Bennett has set for the Elks linemen.

"It's a good feeling knowing he's on my team, but it's also harder for me to stick out on my own when he is next to me," McGowan said. "But, it also gives me a goal in a way, to step up my game to compete with him."

McGowan plays both offense and defense, but most schools are recruiting him to play guard or tackle.

"Right now I have been playing more guard but I can play tackle," he said. "I do better when I have a person on the line over me because it gives me a target to focus on."